Relay apparatus, relay method and computer program

ABSTRACT

A relay apparatus includes a first control section which connects to a first network, a second control section which connects to a second network, the type of which is different from that of the first network, and a relay section which selects a path to be operated as an active system from the first network and the second network and switches paths based on information regarding the first network and information regarding the second network, wherein the second control section converts a transmission unit for transmission in the first network into a transmission unit for transmission in the second network, and transmits the transmission unit to the second network.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to technology for switching a plurality of paths.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, when link switching is realized by implementing a redundant configuration in a network, the implementation is made using the same type of link. For example, for a redundant configuration using a packet network, switching of a link from a packet network to a packet network is implemented using a router. In addition, for example, for a redundant configuration using a time division-multiplexing (TDM) network, link switching from a TDM network to a TDM network is realized. Although a redundant network is also configured between interface converters in technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, both an active (ACT) system and a reserve system are implemented using a packet network.

DOCUMENTS OF THE PRIOR ART Patent Documents

-   [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First     Application No. 2006-67040

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In the related art, there is a problem in that it is difficult to configure a redundant network in a state in which the number of the same type of networks is only one. For example, it may be impossible to configure a redundant network in a state in which only one TDM network and one packet network are provided.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology for enabling a redundant network to be configured in a state in which the number of the same type of networks is only one.

Means for Solving the Problem

According to an aspect of the present invention, a relay apparatus is provided, including: a first control section which connects to a first network; a second control section which connects to a second network, the type of which is different from that of the first network; and a relay section which selects a path to be operated as an ACT system from the first network and the second network and performs path switching based on information regarding the first network and information regarding the second network, wherein the second control section converts a transmission unit for transmission in the first network into a transmission unit for transmission in the second network, and transmits the transmission unit to the second network.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a relay method is provided, including the steps of: converting, by a relay apparatus, a transmission unit for transmission in a first network into a transmission unit for transmission in a second network, and transmitting the transmission unit to the second network, wherein the relay apparatus includes a first control section for connecting to the first network and a second control section for connecting to the second network, the type of which is different from that of the first network; and selecting, by the relay apparatus, a path to be operated as an ACT system from the first network and the second network and performing path switching based on information regarding the first network and information regarding the second network.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a computer program is provided for causing an apparatus, which includes a first control section for connecting to a first network and a second control section for connecting to a second network, the type of which is different from that of the first network, to execute the steps of: converting a transmission unit for transmission in the first network into a transmission unit for transmission in the second network, and transmitting the transmission unit to the second network; and selecting a path to be operated as an ACT system from the first network and the second network and performing path switching based on information regarding the first network and information regarding the second network.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to configure a redundant network in a state in which the number of the same type of networks is only one.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a system configuration of a redundant network system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a relay apparatus of a first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of TDM control sections of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block illustrating a functional configuration of a pseudo wire emulation (PWE) control section of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a relay section of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an error level table.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a (signal failure/signal degrade (SF/SD)+TDM) signal.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the relay apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a relay apparatus of a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of TDM control sections of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a PWE control section of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a relay section of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the relay apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another application example of the relay apparatus.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a system configuration of a redundant network system 100. The redundant network system 100 includes TDM networks 1, 2, and 3, a packet network 4, and relay apparatuses 5-1 and 5-2. Because the relay apparatuses 5-1 and 5-2 have the same configuration, the relay apparatuses 5-1 and 5-2 are referred to as “relay apparatus 5” in the following description.

The TDM networks 1 to 3 are configured using a plurality of TDM communication apparatuses, and are networks in which a TDM signal (TDM frame) is transmitted as a transmission unit (protocol data unit (PDU)). The TDM network 1 receives an input of a TDM signal from a communication apparatus (not illustrated) or the relay apparatus 5-1, and outputs a TDM signal to a communication apparatus (not illustrated) or the relay apparatus 5-1. The TDM network 2 receives an input of a TDM signal from the relay apparatus 5-1 or 5-2, and outputs a TDM signal to the relay apparatus 5-1 or 5-2. The TDM network 3 receives an input of a TDM signal from a communication apparatus (not illustrated) or the relay apparatus 5-2, and outputs a TDM signal to a communication apparatus (not illustrated) or the relay apparatus 5-2.

The packet network 4 is configured using a plurality of packet communication apparatuses, and is a network in which a packet is transmitted as a transmission unit (PDU). The packet network 4 receives an input of a packet from the relay apparatus 5-1 or 5-2, and outputs a packet to the relay apparatus 5-1 or 5-2.

One of the TDM network 2 and the packet network 4 operates as a path of an ACT system, and the other operates as a standby (SBY) system. The relay apparatus 5 transmits equivalent data to both the ACT system and the SBY system. The equivalent data used herein has a different transmission unit, but has the same content in payload data itself. In addition, the relay apparatus 5 receives signals from the ACT system and the SBY system, and determines failures occurring in the ACT system and the SBY system based on the received signals. The relay apparatus 5 determines a path to be operated as the ACT system based on a determination result, and switches the ACT system and the SBY system if necessary. The relay apparatus 5 transmits data received from the ACT system to a path serving as a downstream side.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the relay apparatus 5 will be described.

First Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a relay apparatus 5 a (5-1, 5-2) of the first embodiment. The relay apparatus 5 a includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and/or an auxiliary storage apparatus connected by a bus, and functions as an apparatus including a TDM control section 21 a, a relay section 22 a, a TDM control section 23 a, and a PWE control section 24 a. All or some functions of the relay apparatus 5 a may be implemented using hardware such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), and/or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The relay program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. An example of the computer-readable recording medium is a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disc, a read-only memory (ROM), a portable medium such as a compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), or a storage apparatus such as a hard disk embedded in a computer system.

The TDM control section 21 a is configured using a TDM card, and has an interface with the TDM network. The TDM control section 21 a of the relay apparatus 5-1 has an interface with the TDM network 1, and the TDM control section 21 a of the relay apparatus 5-2 has an interface with the TDM network 3. The relay section 22 a determines a path to be operated as the ACT system, and switches a transmission source of a signal to be relayed to the TDM control section 21 a to the TDM control section 23 a or the PWE control section 24 a. The TDM control section 23 a has an interface with the TDM network 2. The TDM network 2 corresponds to a first network, and the TDM control section 23 a has a function as at least a first control section. The PWE control section 24 a is configured using PWE technology, and has an interface with the packet network 4. The packet network 4 corresponds to a second network, and the PWE control section 224 a has a function as at least a second control section. A main signal to be transmitted from the TDM control sections 21 a and 23 a and the PWE control section 24 a to the relay section 22 a is transmitted in the form of an (SF/SD+TDM) signal in which an error information SF/SD label is assigned to the TDM signal.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the TDM control sections 21 a and 23 a of the first embodiment. The TDM control sections 21 a and 23 a have the same configuration except that a connected TDM network is different. Hereinafter, the TDM control sections 21 a and 23 a will be described with reference to an example of the TDM control section 23 a. The TDM control section 23 a is configured, for example, using a TDM card. The TDM control section 23 a includes PHY 31 a, a failure information generation section 32 a, and the failure information assignment section 33. All or some functions of the TDM control section 23 a may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, and/or an FPGA.

The PHY 31 a is configured using a chip to perform a process of a physical layer and operates as an interface with the TDM network 2. Specifically, the PHY 31 a receives a TDM signal from the TDM network 2, and transmits the received TDM signal to the failure information assignment section 33. In addition, the PHY 31 a receives a TDM signal from the relay section 22 a, and transmits the received TDM signal to the TDM network 2.

In addition, the PHY 31 a senses the occurrence of a failure in the TDM network 3 or the relay apparatus 5 a of an opposite side connected via the TDM network 3. For example, the PHY 31 a senses a failure as a link disconnection when a failure has occurred in a cable. In addition, the PHY 31 a senses a failure as a link disconnection or lost synchronization when the failure has occurred in the TDM control section 23 a of the relay apparatus 5 a of the opposite side. In addition, the PHY 31 a may sense a failure as a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error when a link is an extended super frame (ESF) of a T1 link or an E1 link. If an alarm indication signal (AIS) is transmitted from the relay apparatus 5 a of the opposite side, the PHY 31 a may sense a failure by receiving the AIS. Other technology may be applied as technology in which the PHY 31 a senses a failure. As described above, the PHY 31 has a function as at least a first sensing section.

The PHY 31 a reports information regarding the sensed failure to the failure information generation section 32 a. A target for which the PHY 31 a of the TDM control section 21 a senses the occurrence of a failure is the TDM network 1 and a communication apparatus (not illustrated) connected via the TDM network 1.

The failure information generation section 32 a receives information (failure report) regarding a failure from the PHY 31 a. The failure information generation section 32 a assigns the information regarding the failure reported from the PHY 31 a to an SF/SD label, and generates an SF/SD signal. More specifically, a value of the SF/SD signal is preset for each piece of content or degree of a failure (error) that is likely to be reported to the failure information generation section 32 a. The failure information generation section 32 a pre-stores a failure table in which the content and degrees of failures are associated with SF/SD signals. The failure information generation section 32 a selects an SF/SD signal corresponding to the failure report received from the PHY 31 a according to the failure table. The failure information generation section 32 a generates the selected SF/SD signal, and transmits the generated SF/SD signal to the failure information assignment section 33.

The failure information assignment section 33 receives a TDM signal from the PHY 31 a. In addition, the failure information assignment section 33 receives the SF/SD signal from the failure information generation section 32 a. The failure information assignment section 33 assigns the SF/SD signal received from the failure information generation section 32 a to the TDM signal received from the PHY 31 a, and generates an (SF/SD+TDM) signal. The failure information assignment section 33 transmits the generated (SF/SD+TDM) signal to the relay section 22 a.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the PWE control section 24 a of the first embodiment. The PWE control section 24 a is configured, for example, using a PWE card. The PWE control section 24 a includes PHY 41, a failure detection section 42, a conversion section 43 a, a failure information generation section 44 a, and a failure information assignment section 45. All or some functions of the PWE control section 24 a may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, and/or an FPGA.

The PHY 41 is configured using a chip to perform a process of a physical layer and operates as an interface with an Internet protocol (IP) link of the packet network 4. Specifically, the PHY 41 receives a packet from the packet network 4, and transmits the received packet to the failure detection section 42. In addition, the PHY 41 receives a packet from the conversion section 43 a, and transmits the received packet to the packet network 4. The packet received by the PHY 41 is generated, for example, using technology of TDM over packet (TDMoP) such as structure-agnostic TDM over packet (SAToP) or a circuit emulation services over packet switched network (CESoPSN). In the following description and FIG. 4, a packet signal will be described as an SAToP/CESoPSN signal.

In addition, the PHY 41 senses the occurrence of a failure in the packet network 4 or the relay apparatus 5 a of an opposite side connected via the packet network 4. For example, the PHY 41 a senses a failure as a link disconnection when a failure has occurred in a cable. In addition, the PHY 41 senses a failure as a link disconnection or lost synchronization when the failure has occurred in the PWE control section 24 a of the relay apparatus 5 a of the opposite side. In addition, the PHY 41 may be configured to sense the degradation of a signal (error rate or the like) when the cable is configured using an optical cable. Other technology may be applied as technology in which the PHY 41 senses a failure. The PHY 41 reports information regarding the sensed failure to the failure information generation section 44 a. As described above, the PHY 41 has a function as at least a second sensing section.

The failure detection section 42 receives an SAToP/CESoPSN signal from the PHY 41, and detects a failure based on a checksum code. A specific example of the checksum code is a frame check sequence (FCS). In addition, when the redundant network system 100 is under an environment in which an Ether-operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) function can be used, the failure detection section 42 may detect a failure based on the non-reception of Ethernet-continuity check (CC). The failure detection section 42 reports information regarding the sensed failure to the failure information generation section 44 a. In addition, the failure detection section 42 transmits the SAToP/CESoPSN signal received from the PHY 41 to the conversion section 43 a.

The conversion section 43 a performs a conversion process for a TDM signal and a packet based on pseudo-wire emulation edge-to-edge (PWE3) technology. Specifically, the process is as follows. The conversion section 43 a receives an SAToP/CESoPSN signal from the failure detection section 42. The conversion section 43 a generates a TDM signal by decapsulating the received SAToP/CESoPSN signal from the failure detection section 42, and transmits the TDM signal to the failure information assignment section 45. In addition, the conversion section 43 a receives the TDM signal from the relay section 22 a. The conversion section 43 a generates an SAToP/CESoPSN signal by encapsulating the received TDM signal, and transmits the SAToP/CESoPSN signal to the PHY 41.

In addition, the conversion section 43 a detects a failure such as an error during decapsulation or lost synchronization in the TDM signal after decapsulation. The conversion section 43 a reports information regarding the detected failure to the failure information generation section 44 a.

The failure information generation section 44 a receives information regarding a failure from the PHY 41, the failure detection section 42, and the conversion section 43 a. The failure information generation section 44 a assigns the information regarding the failure reported from the PHY 41, the failure detection section 42, and the conversion section 43 a to an SF/SD label, and generates an SF/SD signal. More specifically, a value of the SF/SD signal is preset for each piece of content or degree of a failure (error) that is likely to be reported from the PHY 41, the failure detection section 42, and the conversion section 43 a to the failure information generation section 44 a. The failure information generation section 44 a pre-stores a failure table in which the content and degrees of failures are associated with SF/SD signals. The failure information generation section 44 a selects an SF/SD signal corresponding to a failure report received from the PHY 41, the failure detection section 42, and the conversion section 43 a according to the failure table. The failure information generation section 44 a generates the selected SF/SD signal, and transmits the generated SF/SD signal to the failure information assignment section 45.

The failure information assignment section 45 receives a TDM signal from the conversion section 43 a. In addition, the failure information assignment section 45 receives the SF/SD signal from the failure information generation section 44 a. The failure information assignment section 45 assigns the SF/SD signal received from the failure information generation section 44 a to the TDM signal received from the conversion section 43 a, and generates an (SF/SD+TDM) signal. The failure information assignment section 45 transmits the generated (SF/SD+TDM) signal to the relay section 22 a.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the relay section 22 a of the first embodiment. The relay section 22 a includes error-detecting sections 51-1 to 51-3, error-monitoring sections 52-1 and 52-2, and a switching section 53. All or some functions of the relay section 22 a may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, and/or an FPGA.

The error-detecting section 51-1 receives an (SF/SD+TDM) signal from the TDM control section 21 a, and separates the (SF/SD+TDM) signal into an SF/SD signal and a TDM signal. The error-detecting section 51-1 transmits the SF/SD signal to the error-monitoring section 52-1, and transmits the TDM signal to the switching section 53.

The error-detecting section 51-2 receives an (SF/SD+TDM) signal from the TDM control section 23 a, and separates the (SF/SD+TDM) signal into an SF/SD signal and a TDM signal. The error-detecting section 51-2 transmits the SF/SD signal to the error-monitoring section 52-2, and transmits the TDM signal to the switching section 53.

The error-detecting section 51-3 receives an (SF/SD+TDM) signal from the PWE control section 24 a, and separates the (SF/SD+TDM) signal into an SF/SD signal and a TDM signal. The error-detecting section 51-3 transmits the SF/SD signal to the error-monitoring section 52-2, and transmits the TDM signal to the switching section 53.

The error-monitoring section 52-1 receives the SF/SD signal from the error-detecting section 51-1, and determines a path to be operated as the ACT system based on the SF/SD signal. However, in this embodiment, only a path (the TDM network 1) of the TDM control section 21 a is connected to the error-monitoring section 52-1. Thus, the error-monitoring section 52-1 constantly selects the TDM control section 21 a as the ACT system. The error-monitoring section 52-1 generates an ACT/SBY signal indicating the path of the ACT system, and transmits the ACT/SBY signal to the switching section 53.

The error-monitoring section 52-2 receives SF/SD signals from the error-detecting sections 51-2 and 51-3, and determines a path to be operated as the ACT system based on the SF/SD signals. Because the path (TDM network 2) of the TDM control section 23 a and the path (packet network 4) of the PWE control section 24 a are connected to the error-monitoring section 52-2, the error-monitoring section 52-2 selects a path to be operated as the ACT system from the two paths.

The error-monitoring section 52-2 selects the path to be operated as the ACT system, for example, according to a preset determination criterion. More specifically, an error level is preset for each SF/SD signal that is likely to be transmitted by the TDM control section 23 a and the PWE control section 24 a. The error-monitoring section 52-2 pre-stores an error level table in which SF/SD signals are associated with error levels. The error-monitoring section 52-2 selects an error level corresponding to an SF/SD signal received from the error-detecting section 51-2 and an error level corresponding to an SF/SD signal received from the error-detecting section 51-3 according to the error level table. The error-monitoring section 52-2 selects a path having a lower error level as a path to be operated as the ACT system. The error-monitoring section 52-2 generates an ACT/SBY signal indicating the path of the ACT system, and transmits the ACT/SBY signal to the switching section 53.

The switching section 53 receives the ACT/SBY signal from the error-monitoring section 52-1, and performs path switching so that the path of the ACT system indicated by the received ACT/SBY signal is used. Specifically, the switching section 53 transmits a TDM signal received from the path of the ACT system indicated by the ACT/SBY signal received from the error-monitoring section 52-1 to a downstream side (the TDM control section 23 a and the PWE control section 24 a). In addition, the switching section 53 receives the ACT/SBY signal from the error-monitoring section 52-2, and performs path switching so that the path of the ACT system indicated by the received ACT/SBY signal is used. Specifically, the switching section 53 transmits a TDM signal received from the path of the ACT system indicated by the ACT/SBY signal received from the error-monitoring section 52-2 to a downstream side (the TDM control section 21 a).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the error level table. In the error level table illustrated in FIG. 6, a different error level is associated for each combination of an SF value and an SD value. In the case of FIG. 6, for example, an error level value of “1” is associated with an SF value of “0” and an SD value of “0.” In this case, the error-monitoring section 52-2 determines that the error level is “1” when receiving an SF/SD signal in which the SF value is “0” and the SD value is “0.” Although each of the SF value and the SD value is expressed by a 1-digit binary number (1 bit) in FIG. 6, the value may be expressed by a number of digits and the number of digits of the SF value may be different from that of the SD value. In addition, the error level need not be limited to 1 to 4, and various types of error levels may be set.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the (SF/SD+TDM) signal. In the case of FIG. 7, the SF/SD signal is included as the overhead of the TDM signal (TDM frame).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the relay apparatus 5 a of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the TDM network 1 is constantly selected as the path of the ACT system. Thus, in the following description, a process related to the TDM network 2 and the packet network 4 among processes of the relay apparatus 5 a will be described.

First, a TDM signal or a packet is input to the relay apparatus 5 a. If the TDM signal is input to the PHY 31 a of the TDM control section 23 a (step S101), the PHY 31 a senses a failure from the input TDM signal (step S102). The PHY 31 a reports information regarding the sensed failure to the failure information generation section 32 a. The failure information generation section 32 a generates an SF/SD signal based on the content or degree of the failure reported from the PHY 31 a, and transmits the SF/D signal to the failure information assignment section 33 (step S103). When receiving the SF/SD signal from the failure information generation section 32 a, the failure information assignment section 33 generates an (SF/SD+TDM) signal by assigning the received SF/SD signal to the TDM signal received from the PHY 31 a (step S104). The failure information assignment section 33 transmits the generated (SF/SD+TDM) signal to the relay section 22 a.

If the packet (SAToP/CESoPSN signal) is input to the PHY 41 of the PWE control section 24 a (step S105), the PHY 41, the failure detection section 42, and the conversion section 43 a each sense a failure from the input packet (step S106). The PHY 41, the failure detection section 42, and the conversion section 43 a each report information regarding the sensed failure to the failure information generation section 44 a. The failure information generation section 44 a generates an SF/SD signal based on the content or degree of the reported failure, and transmits the SF/SD signal to the failure information assignment section 45 (step S107). In addition, in parallel with the process of steps S106 and S107, the conversion section 43 a extracts a TDM signal by performing a decapsulation process for the packet input to the PHY 41 (step S108). If the failure information assignment section 45 receives the SF/SD signal from the failure information generation section 44 a, an (SF/SD+TDM) signal is generated by assigning the received SF/SD signal to the TDM signal received from the conversion section 43 a (step S109). The failure information assignment section 45 transmits the generated (SF/SD+TDM) to the relay section 22 a.

Next, when receiving an (SF/SD+TDM) signal from the TDM control section 23 a, the error-detecting section 51-2 of the relay section 22 a separates the (SF/SD+TDM) signal into a TDM signal and an SF/SD signal. The error-detecting section 51-2 transmits the TDM signal to the switching section 53, and transmits the SF/SD signal to the error-monitoring section 52-2. When receiving an (SF/SD+TDM) signal from the PWE control section 24 a, the error-detecting section 51-3 of the relay section 22 a separates the (SF/SD+TDM) signal into a TDM signal and an SF/SD signal. The error-detecting section 51-3 transmits the TDM signal to the switching section 53, and transmits the SF/SD signal to the error-monitoring section 52-2.

The error-monitoring section 52-2 selects an error level corresponding to each received SF/SD signal based on the error level table. It is determined which error level is high (step S110).

If the error level of the SF/SD signal related to the TDM signal is high (TDM SIGNAL in step S110), the error-monitoring section 52-2 selects the packet network 4 as a path of the ACT system. The error-monitoring section 52-2 generates an ACT/SBY signal indicating that the packet network 4 is the ACT system, and transmits the ACT/SBY signal to the switching section 53. The switching section 53 determines whether or not the path used as the current ACT system is a path (the packet network 4) of the side of the PWE control section 24 a (step S111). If the path of the side of the PWE control section 24 a is the current ACT system (YES in step S111), the switching section 53 does not perform a particular process. On the other hand, if the path of the side of the PWE control section 24 a is not the current ACT system (NO in step S111), the switching section 53 switches the path of the side of the PWE control section 24 a to the ACT system (step S112).

If the error level of the SF/SD signal related to the packet is high in the process of step S110 (PACKET in step S110), the error-monitoring section 52-2 selects the TDM network 2 as the path of the ACT system. The error-monitoring section 52-2 generates an ACT/SBY signal indicating that the TDM network 2 is the ACT system, and transmits the ACT/SBY signal to the switching section 53. The switching section 53 determines whether or not the path used as the ACT system is a path (the TDM network 2) of the side of the TDM control section 23 a (step S113). If the path of the side of the TDM control section 23 a is the current ACT system (YES in step S113), the switching section 53 does not perform a particular process. On the other hand, if the path of the side of the TDM control section 23 a is not the current ACT system (NO in step S113), the switching section 53 switches the path of the side of the TDM control section 23 a to the ACT system (step S114).

If the error levels are the same in the process of step S110, the switching section 53 does not perform a particular process.

The relay apparatus 5 a iteratively executes the above process. A cycle or timing in which the relay apparatus 5 a iterates the above-described process is appropriately set. For example, the relay apparatus 5 a may iteratively execute the above-described process every time a predetermined number of TDM signals or packets are input or every time a predetermined time has elapsed.

The relay apparatus 5 includes control sections (the TDM control section 23 a and the PWE control section 24 a) corresponding to different types of networks, and the relay section 22 a switches the path of the ACT system according to a state of a failure of each path. Thus, it is possible to form redundancy without being limited to switching of a one-to-one link in the same type of networks. Therefore, the degree of freedom of network construction can be improved and a higher reliability network can be constructed.

Modified Example

It is not necessary to limit a packet generation method of the PWE control section 24 a to a method of generating a packet by encapsulating a TDM signal. A packet including a TDM signal may be generated according to other methods.

In addition, error information may be generated and transmitted as another signal as well as an SF/SD signal.

In addition, the PHY 41 is not limited to an interface with an IP link because it is preferable that the PHY 41 operate as an interface with a link of the packet network 4. For example, the PHY 41 may be an interface with a link such as an Ether link or a multi-protocol label-switching (MPLS) link.

In addition, the relay apparatus 5 a may be further configured so that a PWE control section having the same configuration as the PWE control section 24 a and an error-detecting section having the same configuration as the error-detecting section 51-3 are provided at the side of the TDM control section 21 a. According to the configuration as described above, the ACT system and the SBY system may be configured to be independently switched on the left and right of FIG. 2. In this case, for example, networks connected as ACT systems on the left and right of the FIG. 2 may be switched to be different types.

In addition, the relay apparatus 5 a may be further configured so that a TDM control section having the same configuration as the TDM control section 21 a and an error-detecting section having the same configuration as the error-detecting section 51-1 are provided at the side of the TDM control section 21 a. According to the configuration as described above, a plurality of TDM networks may be connected on the left of FIG. 2, and the ACT system and the SBY system may be configured to be switched from among the TDM networks.

In addition, the PHY 31 a, the PHY 41, the failure detection section 42, and the conversion section 43 a may be configured to detect performance (a transmission speed, an error rate, or the like) of transmission in the TDM network 2 or the packet network 4 as well as information regarding a failure, and report the detected information and performance to the failure information generation section 32 a and the failure information generation section 44 a. In this case, the failure information generation section 32 a and the failure information generation section 44 a may generate an SF/SD signal indicating transmission performance. Further, the error-monitoring sections 52-1 and 52-2 may be configured to determine a performance level based on the SF/SD signal indicating transmission performance and select a path in which a degree of transmission performance is high as a path of the ACT system. In this case, the failure information generation sections 32 a and 44 a pre-store a performance table in which content of the transmission performance is associated with SF/SD signals in place of the failure table. In addition, the error-monitoring section 52-2 pre-stores a performance level table in which SF/SD signals are associated with performance levels in place of the error level table.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the relay apparatus 5 b (5-1, 5-2) of the second embodiment. The relay apparatus 5 b includes a TDM control section 21 b, a relay section 22 b, a TDM control section 23 b, and a PWE control section 24 b. Hereinafter, a configuration of the relay apparatus 5 b different from the relay apparatus 5 a of the first embodiment will mainly be described.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the TDM control sections 21 b and 23 b of the second embodiment. The TDM control sections 21 b and 23 b have the same configuration except that a connected TDM network is different. Hereinafter, the TDM control sections 21 b and 23 b will be described with reference to an example of the TDM control section 23 b. The TDM control section 23 b includes PHY 31 b and a failure information generation section 32 b.

The PHY 31 b transmits a TDM signal to the relay section 22 b instead of the failure information assignment section 33. The failure information generation section 32 b transmits an SF/SD signal to the relay section 22 b instead of the failure information assignment section 33. At this time, the failure information generation section 32 b transmits the SF/SD signal to the relay section 22 b in the path different from that of a TDM signal (main signal). As the path different from that of the TDM signal, for example, a path of in-band communication is used and configured.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the PWE control section 24 b of the second embodiment. The PWE control section 24 b includes PHY 41, a failure detection section 42, a conversion section 43 b, and a failure information generation section 44 b. Because the PHY 41 and the failure detection section 42 have the same configurations as in the first embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

The conversion section 43 b transmits a TDM signal generated by decapsulation to the relay section 22 b instead of the failure information assignment section 45. The failure information generation section 44 b transmits an SF/SD signal to the relay section 22 b instead of the failure information assignment section 45. At this time, the failure information generation section 44 b transmits the SF/SD signal to the relay section 22 b in a path different from that of the TDM signal (main signal). As the path different from that of the TDM signal, for example, a path of in-band communication is used and configured.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the relay section 22 b of the second embodiment. The relay section 22 b includes a switching section 53, an error-detecting section 55-1, and an error-detecting section 55-2. Because the switching section 53 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral as in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. The error-detecting sections 55-1 and 55-2 may be configured by executing an error detection program in a CPU or may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, and/or an FPGA. The error detection program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. An example of the computer-readable recording medium is a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disc, a ROM, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, or a storage apparatus such as a hard disk embedded in a computer system.

The error-detecting section 55-1 receives an SF/SD signal from the TDM control section 21 b. The error-detecting section 55-1 generates an ACT/SBY signal according to the same process as in the error-monitoring section 52-1 of the first embodiment, and transmits the ACT/SBY signal to the switching section 53.

The error-detecting section 55-2 receives an SF/SD signal from the TDM control section 23 b. In addition, the error-detecting section 55-2 receives an SF/SD signal from the PWE control section 24 b. According to the same process as in the error-monitoring section 52-2 of the first embodiment, the error-detecting section 55-2 generates an ACT/SBY signal and transmits the ACT/SBY signal to the switching section 53.

In the relay apparatus 5 b configured as described above, the TDM control section 21 b, the TDM control section 23 b, and the PWE control section 24 b need not generate an (SF/SD+TDM) signal by assigning an SF/SD signal to a TDM signal. Thus, the TDM control sections 21 b and 23 b need not include the failure information assignment section 33. In addition, the PWE control section 24 b need not include the failure information assignment section 45. Therefore, it is possible to reduce configuration scales of the TDM control sections 21 b and 23 b and the PWE control section 24 b. In addition, in the relay apparatus 5 b, the relay section 22 b need not separate an SF/SD signal and a TDM signal from an (SF/SD+TDM) signal. Thus, the relay section 22 b need not include the error-detecting sections 51-1 to 51-3. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a configuration scale of the relay section 22 b.

Modified Example

The relay apparatus 5 b of the second embodiment may be modified and configured as in the relay apparatus 5 a of the first embodiment.

Application Example

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the relay apparatus 5 (5 a, 5 b). FIG. 13 illustrates a network configuration in which a plurality of TDM networks 1 are connected to a synchronous digital hierarchy/synchronous optical network (SDH/SONET) link 60. In FIG. 13, the same configurations as in the device and the network described with reference to the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. Although one relay apparatus 5-1 is connected to one relay apparatus 5-2 in FIG. 1, two relay apparatuses 5-1 are connected to one relay apparatus 5-2 in FIG. 13. As described above, a plurality of relay apparatuses 5-1 may be connected to one relay apparatus 5-2. In addition, one relay apparatus 5-1 may be connected to a plurality of relay apparatuses 5-2, and a plurality of relay apparatuses 5-1 may be connected to a plurality of relay apparatuses 5-2.

In the network of FIG. 13, the SDH/SONET link 60 is configured using a plurality of switches 80-1 to 80-4. In addition, a wireless network of FIG. 13 (represented as “WIRELESS” in FIG. 13) is configured using existing wireless communication technology, and is implemented, for example, by microwave communication.

A communication apparatus 70-1 receives a TDM signal from the TDM network 1. The communication apparatus 70-1 transmits the received TDM signal to an apparatus (a communication apparatus 70-2 or the relay apparatus 5-1) of an opposite side of the wireless network. The communication apparatus 70-2 receives the TDM signal via the wireless network. The communication apparatus 70-2 converts the received TDM signal into a packet based on PWE3 technology, and transmits the packet to a communication apparatus 70-3 via a packet network. The communication apparatus 70-3 receives the packet via the packet network. Based on the PWE3 technology, the communication apparatus 70-3 extracts a TDM signal from the received packet, and transmits the TDM signal to a communication apparatus 70-4 via the wireless network.

The relay apparatus 5-1 receives the TDM signal via the wireless network. The relay apparatus 5 may be configured to receive the TDM signal via the wireless network as described above. In this case, for example, the PHY 31 (31 a, 31 b) of the TDM control section 21 a is configured using an apparatus corresponding to the wireless network. As described above, the relay apparatus 5-1 selects a path of an ACT system from the TDM network 2 and the packet network 4. The relay apparatus 5-1 transmits a TDM signal to the relay apparatus 5-2 via the selected path of the ACT system. The relay apparatus 5-2 receives the TDM signal via the path of the ACT system, and transmits the TDM signal to the communication apparatus 70-4 via the wireless network.

The relay apparatus 70-4 receives the TDM signal via the wireless network. The relay apparatus 70-4 transmits the received TDM signal to the switch 80-1 of the SDH/SONET link 60 via the TDM network 3. In addition, when a signal is transmitted from the SDH/SONET link 60 to the TDM network 1, communication is performed in a reverse flow to the above description.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another application example of the relay apparatus 5. In the network of FIG. 1, there are one path of the TDM network 2 and one path of the packet network 4 between the relay apparatus 5-1 and the relay apparatus 5-2. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 14, a plurality of paths of the TDM network 2 may be provided between the relay apparatuses 5-1 and 5-2. In addition, a plurality of paths of the packet network 4 may be provided. Similarly, a plurality of paths of each of the TDM network 2 and the packet network 4 may be provided. In this case, the relay apparatuses 5-1 and 5-2 select and use a path of the ACT system from among the three or more paths described above. In addition, when the relay apparatuses 5-1 and 5-2 are configured to perform communication using a plurality of paths in parallel, the relay apparatuses 5-1 and 5-2 may select and use a plurality of paths as paths of the ACT system from among the above-described three or more paths.

In addition, the relay apparatus 5 may be used during migration to an existing TDM network 2. Specifically, when migration is performed by installing the packet network 4 in place of the existing TDM network 2 between the TDM networks 1 and 3, the relay apparatuses 5-1 and 5-2 are installed between the TDM networks 1 and 3 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The path of the ACT system is switched from the TDM network 2 to the packet network 4 by controlling the switch section 53 of the relay apparatuses 5-1 and 5-2. It is possible to make a transition from the TDM network 2 to the packet network 4 without interrupting a link from the TDM network 1 to the TDM network 3 using the relay apparatus 5 during migration as described above. In addition, it is possible to cause the TDM network 2 to operate as the SBY system of the packet network 4 and construct a redundant network by connecting the TDM network 2 to the relay apparatus 5-1 and the relay apparatus 5-2 even after the transition.

Even when the transition to the packet network 4 is made, an SONET/SDH link is also available with Ethernet over SONET (EoSONET)/SDH. In addition, a link of the TDM network may be T1/E1 or another link.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and designs can also be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-062695, filed Mar. 18, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to a communication network constructed using a plurality of different networks, for example, like a TDM network and a packet network.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   -   1 to 3: TDM network     -   4: Packet network     -   5-1, 5-2: Relay apparatus     -   21 a, 21 b: TDM control section     -   22 a, 22 b: Relay section     -   23 a, 23 b: TDM control section     -   24 a, 24 b: PWE control section     -   31 a, 31 b: PHY     -   32: Failure information generation section     -   33: Failure information assignment section     -   41: PHY     -   42: Failure detection section     -   43 a, 43 b: Conversion section     -   44 a, 44 b: Failure information generation section     -   45: Failure information assignment section     -   51-1 to 51-3: Error-detecting section     -   52-1 to 52-2: Error-monitoring section     -   53: Switching section     -   55-1 to 55-2: Error-detecting section     -   56: Switching section     -   60: SDH/SONET link     -   70-1 to 70-4: Communication apparatus 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A relay apparatus comprising: a first control section which connects to a first network; a second control section which connects to a second network, the second network being of a type different from a type the first network; and a relay section which selects a path to be operated as an active (ACT) system from the first network and the second network and performs path switching based on information regarding the first network and further information regarding the second network, wherein the second control section converts a transmission unit for transmission in the first network into a transmission unit for transmission in the second network, and transmits the transmission unit to the second network, the relay section receives i) information indicating a degree of a failure of the first network as the received information regarding the first network from the first control section, and ii) further information indicating a degree of a failure of the second network as the further information regarding the second network from the second control section, the relay section selects a path having a lower degree of a failure as the active (ACT) system based on the received information and the received further information, and then the relay section performs path switching based on selected the path, the first network is a time-division multiplexing (TDM) network including a plurality of TDM communication apparatuses in which the TDM communication apparatuses transmit and receive a TDM signal as the transmission unit, and the second network is a packet network including a plurality of packet communication apparatuses in which the packet communication apparatuses transmit and receive a packet as the transmission unit, and the second control section converts a TDM signal into a packet and transmits the packet to the packet network.
 2. The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the first control section includes a first sensing section which senses the information regarding the first network, and the second control section includes a second sensing section which senses the information regarding the second network.
 3. A relay method comprising the steps of: converting, by a relay apparatus, a transmission unit for transmission in a first network into a transmission unit for transmission in a second network, and transmitting the transmission unit to the second network, wherein the relay apparatus includes a first control section for connecting to the first network and a second control section for connecting to the second network, the second network being of a type different from a type the first network; and selecting, by a relay section of the relay apparatus, a path to be operated as an ACT system from the first network and the second network and performing path switching based on information regarding the first network and further information regarding the second network, wherein, the relay section first receives i) information indicating a degree of a failure of the first network as the received information regarding the first network from the first control section, and ii) further information indicating a degree of a failure of the second network as the further information regarding the second network from the second control section, the relay section second selects a path having a lower degree of a failure as the active (ACT) system based on the received information and the received further information, and then the relay section third performs path switching based on selected the path, the first network is a time-division multiplexing (TDM) network including a plurality of TDM communication apparatuses in which the TDM communication apparatuses transmit and receive a TDM signal as the transmission unit, and the second network is a packet network including a plurality of packet communication apparatuses in which the packet communication apparatuses transmit and receive a packet as the transmission unit, and the second control section converts a TDM signal into a packet and transmits the packet to the packet network.
 4. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program is recorded, the computer program causes an apparatus, which includes a first control section for connecting to a first network and a second control section for connecting to a second network, the second network being of a type different from a type the first network, to execute the steps of: converting a transmission unit for transmission in the first network into a transmission unit for transmission in the second network, and transmitting the transmission unit to the second network; and selecting a path to be operated as an ACT system from the first network and the second network and performing path switching based on information regarding the first network and further information regarding the second network, wherein, the apparatus first receives i) information indicating a degree of a failure of the first network as the received information regarding the first network from the first control section, and ii) further information indicating a degree of a failure of the second network as the further information regarding the second network from the second control section, the apparatus second selects a path having a lower degree of a failure as the active (ACT) system based on the received information and the received further information, and then the apparatus third performs path switching based on selected the path, the first network is a time-division multiplexing (TDM) network including a plurality of TDM communication apparatuses in which the TDM communication apparatuses transmit and receive a TDM signal as the transmission unit, and the second network is a packet network including a plurality of packet communication apparatuses in which the packet communication apparatuses transmit and receive a packet as the transmission unit, and the second control section converts a TDM signal into a packet and transmits the packet to the packet network. 